That Christmas Feeling. Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      The noise around them was almost deafening, but the silence between them seemed louder. When she couldn’t stand it any longer, she said, “It’s very sweet of Mackenzie to do this.”

      “Don’t be fooled,” he returned gruffly. “Mackenzie knew exactly what she was doing.”

      “And what was that?” Carrie hated to be defensive, but she didn’t like his tone or his implication.

      “She set this up so you and I would be forced to spend time together.”

      He made it sound like a fate worse than high taxes. “Come on, Philip, I’m not such a terrible person.”

      “As far as I’m concerned, that’s the problem.”

      His words lifted her spirits. She took a bread stick from the tall glass in the middle of the table and broke it in half. “Are you suggesting I actually tempt you?” she asked.

      “I wouldn’t go that far, so don’t flatter yourself.”

      “I’m not.” She knew a bluff when she heard one. “If anyone should be flattered it’s you. First, I’m at least eight years younger than you, with endless possibilities when it comes to finding myself a man. What makes you think I’d be interested in an ill-tempered, unfriendly, almost middle-aged grump?”

      He blinked. “Ouch.”

      “Two can play that game, Philip.”

      “What game?”

      “I almost believed you, you know. You were taking advantage of the dark? Really, you might’ve been a bit more original.”

      His eyes narrowed.

      “But no one’s that good an actor. You’re attracted to me, but you’re scared to let go of the rein you’ve got on your emotions. I’m not sure what your problem is, but my guess is that it has to do with your divorce. So be it. If you’re content to spend the rest of your days alone, far be it from me to stop you.” She took a bite of the bread stick, chomping down hard.

      Mackenzie had their order. She carried the tray above her head as she reversed her previous journey among the tables. Her eyes were bright with excitement when she rejoined them.

      She handed one thick ceramic plate to Carrie. “Pastrami on whole wheat, no pickle and extra mustard.”

      “Perfect,” Carrie said, taking the plate from her. She was grateful Mackenzie had returned when she did, unsure she could continue her own bluff much longer. As it was, Philip had no opportunity to challenge her statement, which was exactly the way she wanted it.

      Mackenzie distributed the rest of the sandwiches, set the tray aside and flopped down in the seat between Carrie and Philip. “Don’t you just love the holidays?” she asked before biting into her sandwich.

      Philip’s eyes locked with Carrie’s. “Sure do,” he said, but Carrie saw that he was gritting his teeth.

      From the way Philip tore into the sandwich, anyone would think he hadn’t eaten in a week. It was as though they were taking part in a contest to see who’d finish first.

      Philip won. The minute he swallowed the last bite, he stood, thanked his daughter and excused himself.

      “He’s going back to work,” Mackenzie explained sadly as she watched her father leave. “He’s always going back to the office.”

      “Inviting us both to lunch was very thoughtful of you,”

      Carrie said, “but your father seems to think you asked us to suit your own purposes.”

      Mackenzie lowered her gaze. “All right, I did, but is that such a bad thing? I like you better than anyone. It’s clear that my dad’s never going to get married again without my help. My parents have been divorced for three years now and he’s never even gone out on a real date.”

      “Mackenzie, your father needs time.”

      “Time? He’s had more than enough time! He can’t keep going through life like this. He’s put everything on hold while he tries to forget what my mother did. I want him to marry you.”

      “Mackenzie!” Carrie exhaled sharply. She couldn’t allow the girl to believe that dealing with human emotions was this simple. “I can’t marry your father just because you want me to.”

      “Don’t you like him?”

      “Yes, I do, very much, but there’s so much more to marriage than me liking your father.”

      “But he cares about you. I know he does, only he’s afraid to let it show.”

      Carrie had already guessed as much, but that could be because she wanted to believe it so badly.

      “My mom is really pretty,” Mackenzie said, and she lowered her gaze to her hands, which clutched a paper napkin. “I think she might’ve been disappointed that I look more like my dad’s side of the family than hers. She’s never said anything, but I had the feeling maybe she would’ve stayed married to my dad if I’d been prettier.”

      “I’m sure that isn’t true.” Carrie’s heart ached at the pain she heard in the girl’s voice. “I used to feel those kinds of things, too. My dad never wanted anything to do with me. He never wrote or sent me a birthday gift or remembered me at Christmas, and I was convinced it was something I must have done.”

      Mackenzie raised her eyes. “But you were a little kid when your parents divorced.”

      “It didn’t matter. I felt that somehow I was the one to blame. But it didn’t have anything to do with me. And your parents didn’t divorce because you took after your father’s side of the family. Your parents’ problems had nothing to do with you.”

      Mackenzie didn’t say anything for a long moment. “This is why I want you to marry my dad. You make me feel better. In the past couple weeks you’ve been more of a mom to me than my real mother ever was.”

      Carrie reached out and silently squeezed Mackenzie’s hand.

      The girl squeezed back. “I didn’t mention it last Saturday, but that was the first time I’ve ever baked homemade cookies. Dad helped me bake a cake once, but it came in a box.”

      Carrie had suspected as much.

      “I like the way we can sit down and talk. You seem to understand what’s in my heart,” Mackenzie murmured. “I’m probably the only girl in my school who knows how to crochet, even though all I can do is those snowflakes. You taught me that. The house is going to be finished soon, and Dad and I are going to move away. I’m afraid that if you don’t marry my dad, I’ll never see you again. Won’t you please, please marry my dad?”

      “Oh, sweetheart,” Carrie whispered and wrapped her arm around the girl’s neck. She leaned forward, resting her forehead on Mackenzie’s head. “It isn’t as simple as that. Couldn’t I just be your friend?”

      Mackenzie sniffled and nodded. “Will you come visit me when we move?”

      “You СКАЧАТЬ